Adwatch: Poochigian hits Brown on crime

Sacramento Bee ^ | 9/23/6 | Herbert A. Sample

[SmithL]

An ad for Chuck Poochigian criticizes Jerry Brown's crime record as mayor of Oakland, describing the city as "one big murder scene."

Chuck Poochigian, the Republican nominee for state attorney general, is broadcasting two 30-second television ads around the state. Here is a text of one of the ads and an analysis by Herbert A. Sample of The Bee's San Francisco Bureau.

•NARRATOR: The Jerry Brown watch, part five.

•UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Hey, it's our own political expert. What's up, man?

•SECOND UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Well, I just found out that Jerry Brown, who wants to be our attorney general -- the top cop -- pardoned seven first-degree murderers as governor.

•UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: Well, maybe they had a bad childhood.

•FIRST MAN: Jerry's always been against the death penalty, but when it comes to victims, he doesn't do or say squat.

•SECOND MAN: No wonder Oakland is just one big murder scene.

•WOMAN: This Chuck Poochigian guy, who's a tough, strong state senator, is looking better and better to me.

•SECOND MAN: Just the kind of attorney general we need.

•WOMAN: Um, hmm. We're on to you, Jerry.

ANALYSIS: This ad attempts to paint Brown as soft on crime, a charge that Republicans have often used against Democrats.

The ad may leave viewers with the impression that Brown let the convicted murderers out of prison. But all seven were elderly and had long been out of prison at the time of their pardon. Brown's campaign also noted that state archive records show that Brown's predecessor, Ronald Reagan, pardoned 40 convicted first-degree murderers during his two terms in office.

Brown has long opposed the death penalty on moral grounds and often in strident terms. . . .

[SmithL]

Attorney General Moonbeam?

Yeah, right.

The sad part is that he'll probably win.

[John Jorsett]

Brown's the guy who appointed Rose Bird to Chief Justice of the CA Supreme Court. Her blantant disregard of the law and overt obstructionism in death penalty cases finally got the public disgusted enough to vote against her (and two other justices) continuation on the bench. I trust him as a law enforcer about as far as I can throw him. Following Bill Lockyer's lead, he'll probably occupy himself sueing legitmate businesses for bogus environmental harm.

[calcowgirl]

Funny how anyone to the right of Arnold is now "extremist". From JerryBrown.org:

Statement

The attorney general is called upon to enforce the laws of California in a fair and balanced way and avoid becoming captive to any narrow interest.

On this score, my Republican opponent, Fresno Senator Charles Poochigian, fails any reasonable test. He slavishly adheres to the extreme agenda of those who:

1. Oppose a woman’s right to choose—even in cases of rape and incest,
2. Oppose legislation in support of stem cell research,
3. Oppose key conservation and renewable energy measures, including California’s landmark global warming legislation,
4. Oppose recently enacted restrictions on the dangerous 50 caliber assault rifle.

This puts him far to the right of Governor Schwarzenegger.

Against this fringe political candidate, I offer a candidacy of independence and common sense. Specifically, I pledge:

1. To defend California’s laws against legal attacks on stem cell research and a woman’s right to choose.
2. To protect the environment and promote conservation and renewable energy in the face of continuing assaults on California laws.
3. To work with prosecutors, police and sheriffs to ensure that they have the best available technology to combat crime.
4. To vigorously discharge all the responsibilities of the attorney general’s office to enforce California laws, including the death penalty.

I would welcome your active support.

[Penner]

Attorney General Moonbeam?

Yeah, right.

The sad part is that he'll probably win.

Probably? LMAO!

He's assured victory. The ad is good, and in heavy rotation here in the home of FR, where it doesn't matter.

[REDWOOD99]

When you're running Chuck "I'm-the-guy-who's-not-Jerry-Brown" Poochigian as a candidate, your only hope is to turn name recognition into a negative.

[EveningStar]

Poochigian has exactly two chances of winning - slim and none. And Slim just died on the operating table.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Yeah, that's real optimistic of you.

We've got an election we need to win. Either join us or quit with the negativity. We have enough problems in this state without defeatism.

[EveningStar]

I'll vote for him. Don't worry. I just get upset at the state GOP because of their inability to field winning candidates.

[CounterCounterCulture]

We're running thin on body-builders turned action-super-hero actors to run on the down-ticket. Poochigian is one of the best out there.

[Feiny]

I figured a cat guy....would vote against Pooch.

groan

[EveningStar]

No catty remarks! :)

[DoughtyOne]

I've been hearing that add. It nails Jerry pretty good. Sadly, the populace is so polarized these days, that I can't imagine anything a Democrat could do to make his team not vote for him.

[CounterCounterCulture]

(Save the Whales. Collect the whole set.)

I actually have that shirt.

I figured a cat guy....would vote against Pooch.

Well, yeah, I'll just let my occasional tagline speak for me here...

[RonDog]

Here is a SHORT EXCERPT from www.sacbee.com:

...Poochigian, who began his political career in 1978 as a volunteer with George Deukmejian's campaign for attorney general, is running in his first statewide race. Touting strong public safety, a friendly business climate and education reform, Poochigian faces an opponent with more campaign cash and higher name recognition.

According to the latest Field Poll, Brown holds a 21 percentage-point lead over Poochigian...

[marajade]

The Reps can hit Brown all they want, but Brown will win.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Hooray for defeatism! White towels all around!

[marajade]

Oh come on. Accept reality. Its all about registration numbers in CA. You all better hope that Arnold can carry McClintock and be happy with that.

[CounterCounterCulture]

You must be French. Surrender, don't fight. That's the non-fighting spirit.

[marajade]

Face reality.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Reality is what you make of it. Defeatist whiners go nowhere. Just don't screw us over in doing so.

We've got a job to do. If you're not part of the solution, get out of the way.